what do people think of leaving dogs for 5 and a half hours probably 3/4  times a month? i have 2 and they are ok when i am at work but usually have at least 1 person in, even if they are in bed most of morning, would it be ok to leave them alone for that length of time?

Hi sara

Are these mature adults and would they have been fed, rested, exercised before being left?  If so, although ideally it would be preferable to have someone drop in on them for an hour mid-period, then needs must.  If you have to do it then I'm sure they'll cope :)  We all have to be realistic these days - finances change, health changes, commute distances can become mountainous, other family commitments etc spring up out of nowhere so whatever happens don't get over anxious

If pups, juveniles etc I'd say you would definitely need to have arrangements in place for someone to attend to their needs after say a max of 3 hours.

best wishes, Teri :)

I have four and they are left for 8 hours during the day as I live on my own and have to work full time.  They are happy and contented mainly because the rest of my evening is spent on them!!

I go back occasionally at lunch time and the looks on their faces as they are waking up from their sleep really is a picture as though I shouldn't even be there.

Are they ever alone? From your post it looks like the answer is no. I'd say if they're not used to being in the house without any people then work up to a longer period. Like pop out for 30 minutes and steadily work up to a couple hours. I work from home and make a point of going out at least once during the week just so they are used to being left alone in the house and are comfortable and happy. I have no problem leaving them for that long on the rare occasions I need to. I do walk them first as a tired dog is a good dog. ;-)

Good point Lori about them possibly not being used to being left -  didn't even factor that one in at all when replying :)

A rare lucid moment Teri ;-) Must be the Tunnocks wafers. :)

they are both adults 4 and 5 and do get left on occasions 2/3 hours max. i couldnt exercise them first as its dark now in mornings but they have a doggy flap so can use garden

My dog is 18m months now and from a puppy he has been used to being left alone. He can now be left for 6 hours if not more quite happily (although its only happened once or twice) Dont think it does them any harm if they are used to it, are looked after and have been exercised. Helps too if theyve got other doggy company. That sai,d my dog is left for an hour (or two at most during the weeks) and maybe a maximum of 3 hours on the occasional satureday or sunday.

Note to new any new puppy owners: As i said this time has been built up and done in a controlled way. Dont expect to get a pup and leave it for hours on end or stuck in a cage all day :-)

I work 5 days a week ,but am lucky my OH works 4 on and 4off ,sometimes it works out that we are both out on the same days,I have a good nieghbour who comes in and lets them out into the garden.The dogs seem to be happy with this arrangement.If I didnt work we wouldn't be able to afford to have the dogs.

> I have four and they are left for 8 hours during the day as I live on my own and have to work full time.  They are happy and contented mainly because the rest of my evening is spent on them!!
>
> I go back occasionally at lunch time and the looks on their faces as they are waking up from their sleep really is a picture as though I shouldn't even be there.

we can leave Tio for that long if we need to, he's really good in the house. its not often though. when we do, actually whenever we go out, he gets the tv left on low, a couple of toys with treats that are work to get the sweets, his crate to snooze in and often an egg (he sooks it till he works out to crack it. not the brightest i'll admit)

you come home and he does the same as perrodeaguas- "oh! your back! i was sleeping you know!"

I do feel that something often miss is about quality of life. I am a great believer that "quality time is better than quantity time". As they are happy to be left whilst you are at work, albeit with someone in the house, I am sure they would snooze the time away and not even notice they were on their own.

> they are both adults 4 and 5 and do get left on occasions 2/3 hours max. i couldnt exercise them first as its dark now in mornings but they have a doggy flap so can use garden

Can you not give them on-lead exercise?

My lot are now being left for around 8 1/2 hours a day, 5 days a week as I've started full time and they fine.  And River had major separation issues when I got her a year and a bit ago, so they can get the hang of it.  The only issue I've had so far was going to bed last night and lying in a wet patch - apparently Soli's incontinence meds need to be upped a bit to cope with the extra time!

At the moment they get off lead walking before I go as I am working 2.30-10.30pm, but if I ever manage to get on the morning shift, I will be getting up at 4am to give them a lead walk before I go.  If I don't my house will be eaten.

> couldn't exercise them first

Hi Sara,

Just a thought on the above:
Mental activity can often be more successful at 'wearing' a dog out than physical (although I caution no (long-term) substitute)

My dogs get a walk at 04:30 am when Im working (Brrrrrr and yes miserable now its dark) but I also plan mental things for them to do before I leave here's a few of the things I do, if it gives you any ideas??:
- Breakfast is given in a treat ball so they work for it (or a frozen or stuffed kong hidden so they go seek)
-I put a tuggy toy in the fridge with their defrosting meat & bones so it takes on that delicious(?) scent and then I hide them in the garden for the dogs to go seek (while I get peace to eat my ReadyBrek ;))
- Same concept as above hide liver/ garlic chicken pieces around deck, garden or house (when its rainy)
- retrieving games and a bit of training
(Little Red is learning to weave between my legs as I walk, and Storm is learning to sit (on the first command!! typical Sibe ;) )

HTH. :-)

You made me think Liv; as an addendum to your post - I know I seem to keep saying the words clicker training but I am a bit single minded!! - if you clicker train then freeshaping is also a good way to wear a dog out. :-D

> freeshaping is also a good way to wear a dog out

What a good suggestion!! (one of those ooooh - wish I'd thought of that - ones!!! :-D)

Good advice all.  I got a walker (actually the mother-in-law!) in for mine when I couldn't get back during the middle of the day. Worked really well, even if she didn't walk she played with them and let them go out for their business. The dogs got to go out when I got home for a nice walk.

My sister got me some collars with flashing lights on a couple of Christmasses ago, I find them invaluable for the dark morning walks. And yes, I would say if they are ok with 3 hours, then the odd 5/6 hour won't do any harm, as long as they have a nice walk before or after, and perhaps a Kong or too for something to do. Once or twice a year I even have to leave mine for 10 hours (ONLY if I can't get any of my 4 friends to drop in, and ONLY once or twice a year as I say) and they are always fine (they also have a dog door). Usually it's only 3 or 4 hours at a time though. :-)